Northern made an unsuccessful debut at Toll Stadium on Sunday, losing 1-0, as the match rounded out a busy past year for Toll Stadium. Photo / Supplied
Northern made an unsuccessful debut at Toll Stadium on Sunday, losing 1-0, as the match rounded out a busy past year for Toll Stadium. Photo / Supplied
While unsuccessful from a Northern point of view, Sunday's ASB National Women's Football League match marked Toll Stadium's last sporting event for the year.
It has been a busy winter season for the complex, with the match marking its 16th sporting event in 14 weeks.
Of those 16 events, eighthave been rugby-related and included 17 matches; four have been football events, including 10 matches; four have been league events, including nine matches.
Throughout 2013, Toll Stadium has hosted 11 football events with 27 matches; 10 rugby events in total, of which included 21 matches; and four league events with nine matches in total.
Sunday afternoon's match, which was the first Women's League match to be played in Whangarei, resulted in a boilover as the New Zealand Under-17 Selection surprised Northern 1-0.
Starlet Martine Puketapu pounced after 19 minutes to give the visitors a lead they never relinquished despite a number of good opportunities for Northern.
Northern were made to pay the price for squandering a host of good chances, including hitting the upright and having a goal disallowed for offside.
"The desire and effort from the girls was amazing," Klimkova said.
"They gave 110 per cent in the game.
"We have been working on our decision-making in the final third from last week, so it is very pleasing to see us building on our confidence in front of goal."
Northern now sit third on the table after two rounds, with a one win and one loss record.
